Day 2 - Lima tour and to Cusco.

After breakfast you will picked up from your Hotel and taken to the colonial heart of Peru’s huge sprawling port capital, once known as the City of Kings. Our guide will take us to the Plaza’s of San Martin and Plaza Major, both surrounded by imposing and spectacular examples of Latin American Colonial architecture including Lima’s great Cathedral, the Government Palace and City Hall. After this we will be taken to the airport for your short 1 hour 20 minute flight to Cusco. We leave Peru’s harsh desert coast behind, flying into the folded landscapes of the Andes, landing in the beautiful formerly capital of the Inca Empire more than 3300m above sea level. The afternoon is free to explore this meeting point of colonial and indigenous cultures. (B)

Day 3 - Inca’s Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes.

Transferred from the Hotel to Ollantaytambo (at late morning - 2 hours ride) we board the train for the beautiful winding journey to Machu Picchu following the Urubamba River, the towering walls of the Vilcabamba Mountains rising on either side. Upon arriving at Aguas Calientes town (hot waters), we are then transferred to the hotel and conclude the day’s journeys. (B,D)

Day 4 - Machu Picchu, the Lost City of Incas.

Starting early we take a 25 minute ride above Aguas Calientes to the truly awesome Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a site straddling a mountain top at more than 2380 m above sea level and surrounded by misty cloud forest covered peaks and incredible views on all sides. This site lay undiscovered and engulfed the jungle until Yale University Professor Hiram Bingham chanced upon the ruins during an archaeological expedition. Since then much of purpose and nature of this site has remained a mystery. After a guided tour of the site you will have time to explore the ruins on your own. Returning to Aguas Calientes we board the train for Cusco at around late afternoon, arriving in the evening. From the train station you will transported back to the hotel Garcilaso. Evening free to explore Cusco, a city famous for its buzzing nightlife and diverse restaurants. (B,L)

Day 5 - Cusco.

The morning is left free to relax and explore Cusco at your own pace. At 14.00 a local guide will meet you at the hotel and take you on a tour of the Cuzco and its surrounds, taking in the city’s most impressive monuments and putting these in the context of the truly cataclysmic events that played out here in the 16th Century, when two of the world’s great cultures collided. We visit the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, Koricancha, and the magnificent Inca Temple of the Sun, home to probably the finest Inca stonework – precisely carved stones that fit perfectly, without the need for mortar. We continue to the great ceremonial centre of Sacsayhuaman located in a beautiful position overlooking Cusco in the valley below. Sacsayhuaman’s scale is quite awe-inspiring, vast walls built with individual carved stones, the largest of which weigh more than 125 tons. The Quechua festival of Inti Raymi concludes within these walls every year in June – a truly spectacular demonstration of Indigenous culture, and well worth seeing! On leaving Sacsayhuaman we visit the well preserved Inca sites of Quenco, Puka Pukara and the Temple of Tambo Machay. After a tour of approximately 4 ½ to 5 hours we return to our hotel. Evening free. (B).

Day 6 - Cusco to Lake Titicaca.

Boarding our South American Tour bus we travel overland from Cusco, first climbing out the Sacred Valley beneath the Vilcanota Mountains and up to the high pass of La Raya. The landscape transforms to the vast high plains of the Altiplano, before arriving at Puno on the shores of the World’s highest high navigable Lake Titicaca, a vast azure expanse at 3810m above sea level and covering more than 8000km². We check into hotel before setting out by boat in the afternoon. Our destination is the fascinating floating islands of the indigenous Uros people, who have constructed these unique islands from reeds for Centuries. Returning from the Islands you will be taken back to your hotel. Evening free. (B,L)

Day 7 - Puno to La Paz.

Starting early we begin our journey towards Bolivia, travelling along the Southern shores of Lake Titicaca. Bolivia is a sparsely inhabited but vast and fascinating state where more than 60% of its inhabitants claim pure decent from indigenous origins. Passing the vast ice clad mountains of the Cordillera Real we are confronted with the huge vista of La Paz, the World’s highest capital city, it’s buildings clinging to the sides of a steep gorge and the mighty snow capped peak of Huayna Potosi rising ominously above the capital to well over 6 km into the thin atmosphere. In the afternoon we take a guided tour of this fascinating Andean metropolis, visiting the bizarre Indian Witch market, the Murillo Square, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the colonial church of San Francisco, Government Palace and the Parliament Buildings themselves. We have lunch at a local restaurant before driving to the amazing scenery of the Valley of the Moon before returning to our hotel La Paz. (B,L)

Day 8 - La Paz to Uyuni Salt Desert.

Heading further south our bus departs from La Paz bus station to Uyuni town. A four 7 hour comfortable journey on major roads brings us to Uyuni and the spectacular salt flats. The scenery, heading across the spectacular Bolivian ‘high plane’ is nevertheless dramatic and fascinating. Arriving in Uyuni late afternoon we check into our Salt Hotel (Hotel made of Salk from the desert) and prepare for dinner. (B,D)

Day 9 - Salar de Uyuni to Jirita.

Today we begin our South American Tour journey into what surely must be one of strangest landscapes, the high altitude salt pans of the Salar de Uyuni. Covering a vast and flat expanse of around 10,000km ² and at 3653m above sea level the Salar is largest landscape of its kind on Earth. Leaving Uyuni town at 9am we visit the salt ‘mine’ of Colchani where local villages extract from the Lakes surface in a harsh unforgiving environment. Travelling onward towards the town of Jirita mid–afternoon we visit the Flamingo Colony at the base of the Tunupa Volcano. Overnight at Salt Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Jirita to Laguna Colorado.

Rising for breakfast at around 7am we depart for the strangely coloured ‘Laguna Colorado’, the red lake. The lakes red colour comes an algae that lives in these caustic waters, filled with chemicals from volcanic activity. The lake is home to colonies of James, Chilean and Andean Flamingos. Observing the Ollague Volcano on route we visit the ‘Arbol de Piedra’, the tree of stone and several Lagoons on route. Overnight and dinner at a local basic lodge at the Salar de Uyuni. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Colorado Lagoon to San Pedro de Atacama.

Waking early we have breakfast and travel to view the Sol de Mañana geyser, which regularly blast boiling steam 50m into the air, fuelled by geothermal activity. Taking a hot bath at natural springs here, we continue onwards across the ‘Salvador Dali’ desert, named for its  rock formations, before arriving at Lagoon Verde, the ‘Green Lake’. Here on our South American Tour we leave Bolivia behind, crossing the border into Chile. We travel to San Pedro de Atacama, where we check into the Hotel. An optional visit to local hot baths/pools is also available. (B,L)

Day 12 - San Pedro de Atacama.

Today you have free time to relax in and around San Pedro de Atacama after an action packed few days in Bolivia. The town has an interesting 17th century church and a museum, and day trips to vast expanse of the Salar de Atacama Salt Lake to the South, tours to geysers or to the Moon valley can be independently arranged. (B)

Day 13 - San Pedro de Atacama to Santiago de Chile.

Travelling onwards from San Pedro towards the coast we reach the industrial city of Calama where we catch a flight south over the vast swaths of the Atacama Desert to Chile’s Modern and bustling capital, Santiago de Chile. Met by Machete Tours representatives we check into our Hotel. We set out on guided city tour of the beautifully located metropolis – on clear days you can see the snow capped peaks of the Andes from the capital. We visit the 16th Century San Francisco Church, constructed following the death of Pedro de Valdavia, Santiago’s founding father, together with the Government Palace and Plaza de Armas. We then continue to the 300m hill of San Cristóbal, sight of the Metropolitan Park, Zoo and Casa de Cultura. Evening free to relax in Santiago. (B,L)

Day 14 - Viña del Mar & Valparaiso.

Today in our program we take a tour to the north of Santiago itself, visiting Chile’s most important and historic port, Valparaiso and the famous Pacific resort of Viña del Mar. Valparaiso is a colourful and chaotic town that sprawls across 42 steep hills that rise dramatically from the Pacific Ocean. We take a guided tour of the bustling city, including a visit to the house of one of the houses of Chilean Nobel Prize Winner poet and socialist campaigner Pablo Naruda. After lunch in a seafood restaurant, we continue on to Viña del Mar. The city has many parks and good beaches stretching along the coast. We continue north to the upmarket resort of Reñaca before heading back to Santiago and our hotel for the evening. (B,L)

Day 15 - Santiago de Chile to Buenos Aires.

After breakfast in the hotel we transfer to Santiago’s International Airport for a flight across the continent to Buenos Aires. Leaving Chile behind we cross the Mighty ice clad peaks of the Andes before flying onwards across the vast open expanse of Argentinean Pampas. Met at the Airport  by a Machete Tours representative, you will transferred to your hotel before taking a tour of central Buenos Aires, the National Congress, the Cathedral and the Government House surrounding the Plaza de Mayo, the cities centre. We continue to the colourful and cosmopolitan La Boca district before returning to our Hotel. Buenos Aires is the home of Tango and in the evening we’re taken to dinner combined with a Tango show, a Buenos Aires classic. (B,D)

Day 16 - Buenos Aires to El Calafate.

We have breakfast at the hotel before being picked up and transported to the Domestic Airport. We fly far to the south, to the hearth of Patagonia, a remote and extreme landscape of vast open plains and Glaciars. Upon arriving at El Calafate airport you are then meet by a tour representative and get transferred to the hotel. Dinner and free time. (B,D)

Day 17 - El Calafate and Upsala Glacier.

Departure for Rios de Hielo navigation. The boarding time, in the Punta Bandera Private Port (47 kilometers from the city of El Calafate), will be at 8:30 AM and the departure will be at 9 AM, after the passengers are informed about the safety and sailing conditions. Once on board we will sail through the North Arm of the Argentino Lake to reach the Upsala Canal, where we’ll find a spectacular Icebergs Barrier. From there we will have a panoramic view of the Upsala Glacier. Afterwards we will navigate the Spegazzini Canal, where we will observe the Seco Glacier to reach the front of Spegazzini Glacier, the highest in the National Park. Return to Punta Bandera Private Port and then we continuing to the hotel in El Calafate. Evening free. (B,L)

Day 18 - El Calafate to Iguazú.

Following breakfast we leave the plains of Patagonia and head north for a complete contrast, the subtropical rainforests and warmth of Argentina’s Missions district. Flying via Buenos Aires to continue to Puerto Iguazú and our lovely hotel set in the dense rainforest surrounding the falls. The Paraguay River forms a border between Argentina and Brazil, South America’s largest nations. (B)

Day 19 - Iguazú Falls.

Today we have a full day guided tour of Argentinean side of the Iguazú Falls. An awesome spectacle, the Paraguay River, one of South America’s greatest, plunges into a 74m deep chasm more than 2 ½ km wide. Divided by many small rainforest cloaked islands, separated channels create  275 individual falls. Winding through lush subtropical forest  trails on the Argentinean side allow us close up access to many of the individual falls getting close enough to feel their increwdible power. It’s a spectacular experience – and nowhere is this more apparent than at the La Garganta del Diablo, ‘The Devils Throat’, the largest of the falls. The forest itself is a source of beauty and wonder, and many birds and animals can be seen, including the dramatic Toco Toucan and the families of Racoon like Coati’s. We return to La Cantera in the late afternoon. (B)

Day 20 - Iguazú Falls and Rio de Janeiro.

This morning we embark on a Half Day tour on Brazilian Falls giving a much wider Panoramic view of what many consider to be the World’s most spectacular cascades. Be prepared to get a little damp from the vast clouds of mist rising from the Garganta de Diablo. Visiting Puerto Canoas for a much more relaxing view of the upper river, a snack and a little relaxation time we transfer to Foz de Iguaçu Airport on the Brazilian side of the Falls for you inland flight to Rio de Janeiro. You will be met and transferred to your hotel  in the legendary beachside district of Copacabana. (B,D)

Day 21 - Rio de Janeiro tour.

Today we have a tour of Rio’s most famous sites, the Maracaná Stadium, centre of Brazil’s football culture and passion, the Sambodromo, the Municipal Theatre and Fine Arts Museum and the Cathedral. We ride up to the famous sugarloaf mountain to enjoy sweeping views of the city and the Atlantic below. Enjoying a barbecue lunch we continue to the 710m high peak Corcovado by Train, finally arriving at the summit and Rio’s most famous monument, the 38m statue of Christ the Redeemer. Enjoying more South American Tour magnificent views from the top we then descend after another full day and return to our hotel for a relaxing evening. (B,L)

Day 22 - Rio de Janeiro.

This day is to explore the sights and sounds of Rio de Janeiro at your own or just relax on the beach! (B)

Day 23 - Rio de Janeiro and your flight home.

Breakfast in the hotel before transferring you to the international airport for your flight home. (B) End of Service.